Gravenhurst residents to see higher user fees and service charges in 2027

Building permit fees will rise by 17% next year

Gravenhurst Council approved the 2027 User Fees and Service Charges By-law during its September 15, 2026, meeting.

Staff reported that the updated fees will take effect January 1, 2027, with most proposed increases reflecting a three per cent inflationary adjustment.

The exception is building permit fees, which will increase by 17 per cent to $1.70 per square foot. This is the first increase in building permit fees in recent years, and the only user fee or service charge proposed to increase by more than three per cent for 2027.

Staff recommended the increase following a review of building permit fees in other municipalities and changes to how building permit revenue is recognized under new public-sector accounting standards.

The report adds that in 2025, Gravenhurst collected $554,395 in building permit fees and related revenues, accounting for 26 per cent of total fees collected under the by-law.

Other major revenue sources included $448,702 in ice rental charges at the Centennial Centre, $190,987 from boat slip rentals at the Muskoka Wharf, $181,724 in planning and related fees and $131,905 from legislative services licensing.

Overall, the Town collected approximately $2.15 million through user fees and service charges in 2025. For 2026, it budgeted approximately $2.47 million from these sources.

The report indicates user fees are intended to attribute a portion of the cost of municipal services and facilities to the people using them, reducing the amount required through taxation. When reviewing fees, staff consider factors including the cost of providing the service, administrative resources required and the user's ability to pay.

The proposed 2027 fee schedule was posted publicly on August 13. Staff reported receiving initial concerns about inflationary increases to boat slip rentals and ball diamond fees, with comments suggesting an increase was not warranted without a change in service.

Staff said user fees and service charges, similar to taxation, should generally keep pace with inflationary cost pressures to maintain service levels.

Councillor, Sandy Cairns, said she would not vote in favour of the increases because it’s making things harder for people. She said, “Some fees going up will touch families’ lives…are a lot of problem for a lot of people in the community.” She added, "Some of those fees are difficult for people.”

Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, asked Cairns, “Do you have any ideas as to where the money should come from…because the costs of the Town are going up.”

Cairns said she didn’t have suggestions but said they should “hold at bay and let us all get caught up with things.”

Councillor, Randy Jorgensen, indicated that if they don’t increase the fees then taxpayers will have to “pick up that difference.”

Lorenz added, “Nobody around this table wants to put fees up for the community. It’s the cost of living.”

She agreed with Jorgensen about the alternative would be an impact to taxpayers. “None of us are really in favour of it. We’re just being fiscally responsible because that’s what has to be done,” she said.